Fire Investigation and Ignitable Liquid Residue Analysis

Fire Investigation and Ignitable Liquid Residue Analysis

Sachil Kumar, Anu Singla, Ruddhida R. Vidwans
Copyright: © 2022 |Pages: 28
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-8386-9.ch006
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Abstract

A fire investigation is a difficult and challenging task. An investigator's basic task at a fire scene is two-fold: first, to ascertain the origin of the fire and, second, to closely investigate the site of origin and try to determine what triggered a fire to start at or near that spot. Usually, an investigation would begin by attempting to obtain a general view of the site and the fire damage; this may be achieved at ground level or from an elevated location. Following this, one may examine the materials available, the fuel load, and the condition of the debris at different locations. Surprisingly, the science of fire investigation is not stagnant, and each year, more information to assist investigators in determining the location and cause of a fire by diligent observation of the scene and laboratory study of fire debris is released. This chapter is split into two sections. The first section discusses the general procedures to be used during a fire investigation, and the second section discusses laboratory analysis of ignitable liquid residue analysis.
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Part 1

Fire Investigation

Fire investigation is the study of fire-related incidents using fire dynamics. When a tragic fire happens, experts must decide where and how the fire began, as well as whether it was accidental or deliberate. If the fire was started on intentionally, the investigator's results could lead to felony charges. If there were deaths as a result of the fire, an individual may be charged with murder.

If they suspect that a fire was lit deliberately, they want to see some signs of an ignitable liquid residue (ILR). Spotting the source of the fire allows the investigator to gather residue that could contain substances suggestive of, say, fuel or hydrocarbons that are trademarks of other ignitable liquids which can be used to cause fires.

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Fire Scene Investigation

Seize the Scene of Crime

As an investigator reaches the crime scene, he/she must seize the crime scene and evacuate the fatalities and rescue the injured victims. The NFPA921 has described a 6-step approach to analyze the origin and cause of the fire. If an investigator tries to answer these, then the arsonist can solve the case successfully (Redsicker and O’Connor, 1996).

Each of these approaches will now be discussed and explored in detail one by one.

Recognizing the Problem

The first and most critical step in the investigation would be to ascertain where the fire originated. This can be accomplished by studying the patterns of the fire at various locations and interacting with eyewitnesses. Also, an investigator should be able to establish the resources that might be needed to investigate the crime scene. Sometimes if an investigator reaches on the scene of the fire before the fire is extinguished, there are chances that he can recognize the pattern of the fire which can act as a very important point in solving the case.

Defining Problem

In this case, a thorough investigation into the origin and cause of the fire must be undertaken using the facts at his disposal and by processing the crime scene. The analyst should prepare a strategic plant and report with preliminary findings and description of the loss in the fire.

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